The Struggle at Shanghai While desperate fighting has been in
progress at Shanghai for the past week the actual situation shows little change. The Japanese have been intent on landing fresh troops, which they have accomplished in the face of fierce resistance under the protection of their warships' guns, and the Chinese admit the fall of the Woosung Forts. The outrageous r.tack on the British Ambassador to China a week ago was justified by Japanese apologists on the ground that the Ambassador was travelling in a war-zone (he was 4o miles from Shanghai with no troops of any kind near) and in order that that pretext may, for the future, be universally available it has been declared that the whole of China is liable to air- attack. The firm British demand for an apology for the attempt to kill Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen, punishment of the airmen responsible and assurances against the possible repetition of such an episode has so far remained unanswered, transparently thin excuses for the delay being advanced. The reparation immediately offered by the Chinese for an attack made by Chinese aeroplanes on the American liner ' President Hoover,' is in marked contrast to the tactics of Tokyo. With a view to preventing the import of munitions Japan has declared a blockade of 900 miles of the Chinese coast, which, in spite of the assurance that foreign vessels will not be interfered with, increases further the danger of international incidents. General Chiang Kai-shek appears resolved on defending Shanghai, though there might be advantage in retiring to prepared positions out of range of the Japanese naval guns.
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